Final answer:
The Freer Elevator is used in surgeries to elevate tissue, which is essential in procedures like angioplasty to widen blocked vessels and in ensuring the proper sterilization of medical tools to prevent infections.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Freer Elevator is a tool commonly utilized in medical procedures to elevate the septum, periostium, or plaque from vessel walls. This is particularly relevant in surgeries like angioplasty, where the goal is to widen an occluded vessel. Angioplasty involves inserting a catheter with an expandable balloon into a vessel to mechanically open it, and then possibly placing a stent to prevent vessel collapse. This procedure, alongside other treatments like endarterectomy and coronary bypass, plays a crucial role in managing conditions like blocked coronary arteries.
However, equipment like the duodenoscope can present challenges in sterilization due to its complex mechanism containing difficult-to-clean crevices. Inadequate disinfection may lead to pathogen transfer between patients, posing a significant health risk. Thus, proper cleaning and handling of medical devices are vital in preventing infections.